Channel Islands Pug
Common NameChannel Islands Pug
Scientific NameEupithecia nevadata insulariata
FamilyGeometridae
SubfamilyLarentiinae
Wingspan (mm)18
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black
HabitatCoastal scrub, chaparral, and woodlands
Geographic RangeChannel Islands of California, USA
Host PlantsCeanothus
Flight PeriodMarch to June
Flight Stylefluttering
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are typical 'looper' caterpillars, feeding on host plant foliage before pupating.
Identification TipsSmall size, characteristic 'pug' moth shape, and highly variable but generally cryptic mottled grey-brown wing patterns. Specific identification often requires examination of genitalia.
Description
A small, cryptically colored moth with mottled patterns of brown, grey, and black on its wings, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its environment.
